Engineering Technology Fields See Continued Job Growth

Technology has become a seamless part of our everyday lives, from the time we wake up until we go to bed. Both at work and at home, we use technology to some extent in completing the majority of personal and professional tasks – from downloading music and playing games to communicating with clients and personal banking.

In this fast-paced world, relevance is fleeting, and new product launches make existing technologies obsolete seemingly overnight. The constant evolution of the industry means new job opportunities will continue to rise for professionals with relevant skills. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that employment of computer software engineers is expected to increase by 32 percent from 2008 to 2018, much faster than the average for all occupations, particularly for those with bachelor’s degrees.

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The Value of an MBA

As the economy begins to improve, all industries will require the expertise of management professionals to help sustain financial growth and prepare for new organizational structure.
Many recent grads and working professionals consider earning a master’s degree in business administration (MBA ) to set themselves apart. According to the Corporate Recruiters Survey from the Graduate Management Admission Council (2011), 67 percent of employers expect to hire recently graduated management talent in 2012, and they plan to hire in increasing numbers.

It is important to remember, however, that there are no guarantees; it is important to determine the true value of an MBA in each unique career field.

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Lend a Helping Hand for Social Change in 2012

Political unrest, environmental crises and economic challenges on a global scale practically defined 2011. The Arab Spring ousted three iron-fisted rulers, a deadly earthquake led to mass radiation exposure in Japan and Occupy Wall Street emerged to be a historical, internationally united protest. The year 2011 seized the idea of social change and ran with it.

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Using the Art of Enchantment for Career Success

Many of us have career dreams we aspire to achieve, but often we are left feeling daunted by how to turn those dreams into reality.

Whether your goal is to land your ideal job upon graduating from college or earn that promotion you have been eyeing in your current job, it’s vital to have the support of those around you for your cause.

Garnering the support of others is possible but takes effort, according to Guy Kawasaki, best-selling author and former chief evangelist for Apple Computer. He calls this process “enchantment.”

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Make Algebra Less Daunting One Game at a Time

The votes are in: parents would rather teach their children how to drive or educate them about alcohol and drug abuse than help with algebra homework.

But parents aren’t alone in their terror of polynomial equations – 8th- and 9th-graders surveyed by the National Assessment of Educational Progress would eagerly give up Facebook and video games if it meant no more algebra.

Education expert Dr. Richard Bavaria recommends parents treat algebra like reading, a fun chance for quality time with your kids.

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First Step Toward Career Success: Degree Completion

Earning a bachelor’s degree can be a valuable step toward career success. Fewer than 5 percent of bachelor’s degree-holders over the age of 25 are unemployed, compared to a national unemployment rate that is over 9 percent.

Despite the benefits of degree programs, many students do not complete the process due to perceived barriers, such as a full-time job, family commitments or worries about achieving a balance between their personal and professional lives. Others are eager to start a career and make money.

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Survey Says Impoverished Children Crave Education First

Ask an average group of 10- to 12-year-olds in the United States what they want to be when they grow up, and more than one in four will say famous athlete or singer/actor. Pose the same question to their counterparts in the developing world and professions requiring a college education, like teaching and medicine, top the list.

This finding is part of the second annual Small Voices, Big Dreams survey, which polled close to 5,000 children ages 10 to 12 in 44 countries throughout Africa, Asia and the Americas – from Afghanistan to Zambia.

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Rebuilding Your Career Toolkit to Meet the Needs of Employers

Five words or less(NewsUSA) – Despite an uncertain job market, many job seekers would like to believe they are qualified. However, it simply is not the case. Candidates are failing at the job search because they lack the qualifications that employers value.
A national online survey conducted by the Career Advisory Board established by DeVry University brings to light how job seekers can better position themselves by focusing on the attributes employers’ value most. The findings of the Job Preparedness Indicator conducted Sept. 6-12, 2011 by Harris Interactive revealed that employers are unable to find qualified candidates for open positions.
In fact, only 14 percent of the 540 hiring managers surveyed said that within the past three years “nearly all” or “most” job seekers have had the skills their company looks for in a potential employee.
However, most job seekers believe they have what it takes to succeed. More than half (56 percent) of the 734 adults looking for work who were surveyed are confident they know what qualifications are required for employment. In addition, 72 percent are confident they know how to present their skills during an interview.
“These findings highlight the striking gap between what skills hiring managers value in a candidate and how job seekers describe themselves. But some of the disconnect between hiring managers and job seekers is due to misconceptions about what is most important to the other party,” notes Dan Kasun, senior director of developer and platform evangelism at Microsoft Corporation and Career Advisory Board member. “Job seekers should utilize these findings to better calibrate the way they present themselves to employers.”
According to the study, hiring managers place the highest value on the following skills across all job levels (entry, middle and managerial):
1. Strategic perspective
2. High integrity
3. Global outlook
4. Strong base work ethic/dependable
5. Accountability
For those looking to enhance their marketability to employers, Career Advisory Board members offer the following actionable advice:

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America Gets Ready to Celebrate Engineering

Five words or less(NewsUSA) – February 19-25, 2012, is Engineers Week, or EWeek, a celebration of the engineering profession and a focal point for public awareness programs showcasing engineering and technology. This national event is held each year during the week of President George Washington’s Birthday; many consider George Washington to be the nation’s first engineer.
Schools, corporations, museums, government and media groups and technical organizations across the country will join together in the outreach effort, sponsoring various programs and activities to spotlight engineering and promote careers in the field.
A focus of EWeek 2012 will be science, technology, engineering and math education awareness, better known as STEM education, and many organizations will carry out programs that aim to create visibility for the profession in the precollege education sector. For instance, ASME (the American Society of Mechanical Engineers) will conduct the Inspire Innovation workshop, which will bring together engineers and K-12 teachers for a daylong program of fun, enrichment and knowledge-sharing.
“A thrust of the workshop is to motivate K-12 students to consider careers in the engineering profession, and also to inspire K-12 teachers to incorporate engineering into lesson plans as well as learn about tools and resources that can influence effective classroom instruction,” said Victoria A. Rockwell, the president of ASME.
In another Engineers Week 2012 program, ASME is launching the “DiscoverE Educator Recognition Awards” to teachers in grades 6-12 who demonstrate success in inspiring students to discover engineering. The awards will be presented in Washington, D.C., site of other EWeek events, including the Future City competition.
While the nation’s capital will host several Engineers Week 2012 activities, towns and communities everywhere are encouraged to join in the celebration. Other staples of Engineers Week include “Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day” and the announcement of the “New Faces of Engineering,” which features rising stars of the profession.
Experts believe that the United States is facing a shortage of scientific and engineering talent and skills required to develop next-generation technologies enabling the U.S. to compete in the global market. Engineers Week goes a long way toward solving this problem, while also celebrating the many ways that engineers and engineering contribute to the betterment of our quality of life across the world. For information, visit www.asme.org.

Digital Networking: How to Build Strong Career Connections

A strong network is a key building block for career success. Whether you’re looking for a new job or connecting with peers in your industry, building a strong set of connections to help advance your career is vital.

While older generations used to build their networks one handshake at a time, today’s networkers foster and maintain connections online through the use of social media tools.

Whether you’re a social media novice or aficionado, it is important to remember that unlike connections made through face-to-face contact, when building an online network, credibility is assessed via digital profiles.

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